Catalyst Internship Track | Hosted by The Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research
The OXIHER MPH Summer Internship is a dynamic, cross-institutional opportunity for graduate students pursuing careers in Public Health. Designed to cultivate real-world skills and deepen understanding of healthcare systems, the program is hosted by the Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research (OXIHER) as part of Ochsner Health’s Catalyst Summer Internship Program.
This full-time, paid internship empowers students to engage with health system leaders, participate in community-focused initiatives, and gain hands-on experience across a variety of departments. Through mentorship, peer collaboration, and exposure to critical public health challenges, interns build a strong foundation for future leadership in the healthcare field.
- 1:1 Mentorship: Work alongside healthcare leaders and professionals
- Professional Development: Training through online modules and in-person workshops
- Peer Networking: Connect with fellow interns and build lasting professional relationships
- Community Engagement: Tackle real issues impacting health outcomes across Louisiana
- Career Preparation: Explore multiple pathways within the healthcare sector
- Ochsner Integration: Join the state's largest nonprofit healthcare system with access to long-term career opportunities
Since its inception, the OXIHER MPH Summer Internship has placed 21 students across five cohorts into impactful roles within Ochsner Health. Interns have contributed to projects and strategic initiatives in departments such as:
- Community Health
- Digital Medicine
- Medicaid Quality Incentives
- Case Management
- Primary Care Administration
- Community Health Clinics
- Urgent Care
- Clinic Operations
- Healthy State
- Employee Health
- Women’s Services
- Duration: (8–9 weeks), with a break during the week of Independence Day
- Schedule: 32–40 hours per week
- Location: Hybrid, with most placements requiring in-person engagement
- Compensation: $12/hour
- Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in a Master of Public Health or related graduate program
- Transportation: Reliable transportation required; some travel may be needed based on placement
The Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research is committed to strengthening Louisiana’s healthcare workforce, improving population health, and advancing opportunities for future professionals. Through education, research, and innovative partnerships, OXIHER continues to support career readiness, healthcare system transformation, and stronger community health outcomes—for all.
The Louisiana Collaborative in Nutrition is a cross-institutional initiative designed to expand academic and professional opportunities in nutrition, public health, and clinical care. This program is hosted by the Ochsner Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research (OXIHER) and reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare access, workforce development, and community well-being.
In partnership with Dillard University, Southern University, Tulane University, and Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA), the Collaborative offers immersive training and career exploration opportunities for undergraduate students interested in nutrition, health sciences, and clinical or community practice.
This program aligns with OXIHER’s mission to strengthen the healthcare workforce through:
- Healthcare expansion and improved access across underserved areas
- Career development and job readiness for future healthcare professionals
- Healthcare administration training in real-world clinical settings
- Clinical research exploration that prepares students for advanced academic and scientific roles
- Provide students with STEM interest and opportunity to explore healthcare careers
- Community health improvement through education, prevention, and care delivery innovation
The Louisiana Collaborative in Nutrition is a key initiative supporting these goals.
Cohort 1 – Launched Summer 2025
In its inaugural year, six students were selected from Dillard University, Southern University and XULA. Participants were placed in specialized departments within Ochsner Health.
Confirmed Placement Sites
- Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness
- Ochsner Diabetes Care and Education – Kidney Care Clinics
Additional Opportunities May Include:
- Eat Fit
- Digital Weight Management
- Nephrology
- Bariatrics
- Neonatology
- Gerontology
- Oncology
- Sports Medicine
- Credit Hours: 270
- Format: In-person; hybrid participation may be considered
- Compensation: Paid internship
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be currently enrolled as undergraduates at Tulane University, Dillard University, or XULA and express a strong academic or career interest in:
- Nutrition
- Public Health
- Community Health
- Healthcare Administration
- Other closely related health or science field
Applicants should also be available for local travel related to training sites and outreach assignments.
Internship responsibilities may include:
- Designing and distributing patient surveys on nutrition knowledge, food access, and nutrient intake
- Supporting insulin pump programming and data entry for devices like the Omnipod 5
- Rounding with registered dietitians, nurses, and diabetes educators
- Participating in nutrition education sessions for groups such as the Diabetes NOLA Support Group
- Performing nutritional analysis of recipes used in patient and public health settings
- Creating accessible, engaging nutrition resources for patient use
- Assisting with health education at community events, schools, churches, and other nonprofit organizations
Education
The University of Louisiana Lafayette-Ochsner Accelerated BSN program is a partnership between UL Lafayette and Ochsner Lafayette General meant for students with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree to join the exciting field of healthcare. This program prepares its students for licensure or certification within the state of Louisiana.
The Loyola University Bachelor of Science Nursing program is housed on Loyola’s historic New Orleans campus. It provides dedicated Ochsner hospital areas with diverse clinical experiences including community and population health, and an innovative Ochsner Loyola Simulation Lab. The program offers tuition assistance through Ochsner Scholar’s Program and Ochsner employees serve as faculty.
This certificate program helps students build skills to create powerful health messages for various audiences. Students will learn how to design and share important health information in a way that resonates with different groups of people.
The Counselor Education Program at Xavier, part of the Division of Education and Counseling, supports the university’s mission by training counselors to take on leadership and service roles in society. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and follows high standards to prepare students to become professional counselors.
Xavier’s Master of Science in Health Informatics program gives students a chance to study three main areas: Population Health Informatics, Clinical Informatics and Bioinformatics. The program also makes sure that graduates are ready to choose, set up, use and assess health care information systems like electronic health records and data management systems, lead projects and efforts in health informatics within organizations, and use data analysis skills to improve patient care and the way care is delivered.
Training
Ochsner's Catalyst summer internship program gives college students a chance to get direct guidance and hands-on experience in the healthcare industry. Interns will learn valuable skills that will help them in their future healthcare careers.
The Clinical Research Internship creates a pipeline for diverse, trained clinical research personnel. The six-month paid internship includes a formal curriculum on practical and ethical principles of clinical research, as well as rotations within research centers of excellence and the infrastructure that supports research. Program graduates are prepared to work in any research environment.
Since 2005, Education Outreach has helped the community and kept Ochsner as a top leader in academics by supporting education, offering special resources, and linking K-12 students and teachers with exciting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities. We do this by:
- Connecting classroom learning to future careers
- Providing equal access to high-quality education
- Improving understanding of STEM subjects
- Boosting student success and confidence in science
XULA Pre-College Programs hosts a variety of opportunities for middle school and high school students to enrich their academic and social development. Students from across the country pursue their passions in a rigorous academic setting while connecting with peers, mentors, and instructors. With exciting programs in math, science, and humanities, XULA Pre-College offers the unique opportunity to explore an area of interest on a deeper level through in-class discussions, hands-on projects, and cultural explorations.
Ochsner Scholars is focused on developing the next generation of BSN, ADN, LPN, and allied health students. Ochsner Health is investing heavily in future nurses and healthcare professionals who are dedicated to putting patient care first, practicing with compassion, and maintaining the highest standards in healthcare.
